Health risk for space tourists

Astronauts can be shielded from radiation associated with solar flares

The finding comes as Sir Richard Branson starts taking bookings for private space flights with his Virgin Galactic company, which could see passengers blasting off within the next two years.

But Professor Kerry O’Banion from the University of Rochester in the US said: “Galactic cosmic radiation poses a significant threat to future astronauts.

“The possibility that radiation exposure in space may give rise to problems such as cancer has long been recognised.

“However, this study shows for the first time that exposure to radiation levels equivalent to a mission to Mars could produce cognitive problems and speed up changes in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.”

Astronauts can be shielded from radiation associated with solar flares but there are other forms of cosmic radiation which cannot be blocked.